Sustainable Implementation Research Articles

Using structural equation modeling to investigate students’ satisfaction with an undergraduate tutorial system

BackgroundThe undergraduate tutorial system (UTS) is a crucial measure in China for adhering to the principle of prioritizing foundational education, innovating the undergraduate talent training mode, and building a powerful country of higher education. This study investigated undergraduate students’ satisfaction with UTS and the influencing factors, aiming to promote the healthy and sustainable development of UTS and provide practical implications and suggestions for universities.MethodsBased on relevant theories, we conducted a survey study and leveraged structural equation modeling to assess students’ satisfaction with UTS and explore the influencing factors.ResultsOur Pearson correlation analysis showed that students’ satisfaction with mentors was positively correlated with dimensions such as humanistic care (r = 0.844, P < 0.05), mentor assistance (r = 0.906, P < 0.05), and mentor-student communication (r = 0.908, P < 0.05). Path analysis showed that mentor-student communication (β = 0.486, P < 0.01), mentor assistance (β = 0.228, P < 0.05), humanistic care (β = 0.105, P < 0.05) were positive factors affecting students’ satisfaction with mentors, while satisfaction with mentors (β = 0.923, P < 0.01) had a positive impact on students’ satisfaction with UTS. Students’ satisfaction with mentors explained 73.4% of the variation in students’ satisfaction with UTS, indicating that satisfaction with mentors was an important intermediary variable of UTS students.ConclusionThe sustainable implementation of UTS requires the effort to improve student satisfaction, and the breakthrough of strengthening the targeted mentorship in “transmitting wisdom, imparting knowledge, and resolving doubts” for students. Efforts should also be devoted to fostering students’ comprehensive skills and better serving the cultivation of talents in the new era.

C-reactive protein point-of-care testing in primary care-broader implementation needed to combat antimicrobial resistance.

This study presents the perspective of an international group of experts, providing an overview of existing models and policies and guidance to facilitate a proper and sustainable implementation of C-reactive protein point-of-care testing (CRP POCT) to support antibiotic prescribing decisions for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) with the aim to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR threatens to render life-saving antibiotics ineffective and is already costing millions of lives and billions of Euros worldwide. AMR is strongly correlated with the volume of antibiotics used. Most antibiotics are prescribed in primary care, mostly for RTIs, and are often unnecessary. CRP POCT is an available tool and has been proven to safely and cost-effectively reduce antibiotic prescribing for RTIs in primary care. Though established in a few European countries during several years, it has still not been implemented in many European countries. Due to the complexity of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing behavior, a multifaceted approach is necessary to enable sustainable change. The effect is maximized with clear guidance, advanced communication training for primary care physicians, and delayed antibiotic prescribing strategies. CRP POCT should be included in professional guidelines and implemented together with complementary strategies. Adequate reimbursement needs to be provided, and high-quality, and primary care-friendly POCT organization and performance must be enabled. Data gathering, sharing, and discussion as incentivization for proper behaviors should be enabled. Public awareness should be increased, and healthcare professionals' awareness and understanding should be ensured. Impactful use is achieved when all stakeholders join forces to facilitate proper implementation.

Social Processes of Public Sector Collaborations in Kenya: Unpacking Challenges of Realising Joint Actions in Public Administration

AbstractSocial processes behind the success or failure of collaborative implementation frameworks in African public administration contexts are under-researched. This paper addresses this gap by paying particular attention to trust attributes in collaborative implementation arrangements in Kenya. It shows how implementation challenges of policy programs and interventions may be linked to these interventions’ social characteristics in the public sector. The paper draws on a threefold approach of mutual trust and administrative data on public sector collaborative implementation arrangements for Kenyan anti-corruption policy like the Kenya Leadership Integrity Forum. Findings show that despite increased efforts to realise joint actions in public sector collaborative arrangements, they remain primarily symbolic and hierarchical and feature loose social cohesion among actors, producing challenges bordering on deficiencies in social processes of implementation. These include politicised aloofness or lack of commitment, unclear governance structures, coordination deficiencies, inter-agency conflicts, layered fragmentations, and overlapping competencies among different agencies. The paper recommends identifying and nurturing socially sensitive strategies embedded in mutual trust, like informal knowledge-sharing channels, to address primarily mandated public sector collaboration challenges in Kenya. Such efforts should consider systematic training and incentivising public managers to think outside inward-looking organisational cultures, allowing them to devise sustainable collaborative implementation approaches (promote open innovation) for policy programs, particularly anti-corruption policy.

Current situation, strengths and problems in intra- and interprofessional collaboration in German nursing homes – A holistic multiple case study

BackgroundThe increasing care complexity of nursing home residents living with dementia requires new care models that strengthen professional collaboration. To contribute to the sustainable implementation of new care models, it is important that they are linked to the care reality. However, little is known about intra- and interprofessional organization and provision of care in German nursing homes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the current care situation, problems and strengths regarding intra- and interprofessional collaboration in the care of residents living with dementia.MethodsWe conducted a holistic multiple case study. The individual care units in which residents living with dementia are cared for were defined as cases. The context was built by the respective nursing homes and their regional affiliation to the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. We used qualitative face-to-face interviews, documents and context questionnaires for data collection. The different sources of evidence served to capture complementary perspectives and to validate the findings. First, the collected qualitative data were analyzed using deductive-inductive content analysis. Second, similarities and differences between the cases were identified to elaborate case-specific and cross-case patterns and themes. The reporting followed the EQUATOR reporting guideline for organizational case studies.ResultsWe included four care units comprising 21 professionals (nurses, physicians, social worker, physiotherapist, pharmacist) and 14 relatives of residents living with dementia. The analysis revealed four categories to describe current intra- and interprofessional collaboration in all cases: actors and their roles, service delivery, coordination and governance, and communication channel. Moreover, we identified three categories that relate to the strengths and problems of intra- and interprofessional collaboration in all cases: role understanding, teamwork, and communication and exchange. Although we examined similar care units, we found differences in the realization of professional collaboration and resulting problems and strengths that are connected to the organizational contexts and strategies used.ConclusionsEven though professional collaboration follows given patterns; these patterns do differ context-specifically and are perceived as problematic and fragmentary. Therefore, the identified differences and problems in collaboration need to be addressed in future research to develop and successfully implement tailored innovative care models.

Institutional pressure and low carbon innovation policy: the role of EMS, environmental interpretations and governance heterogeneity

As the global community deals with the urgent need for sustainable development, the formulation and implementation of effective low carbon innovation policies have emerged as a critical challenge. However, the extant literature is unclear in examining low carbon innovation policy. Underpinned by institutional theory, the current study addresses the role of institutional pressure in the development of low carbon innovation policies. Additionally, the study examines the role of environmental management systems as a mediation and environmental interpretations and governance heterogeneity as moderators. Methodologically, the data were collected from the manufacturing sector of Pakistan. The findings suggest that institutional pressure greatly influences low carbon innovation policies. Furthermore, the findings from environmental management systems strongly suggest that they significantly encourage institutional pressure on low carbon innovation. Additionally, the roles of environmental interpretations and governance heterogeneity have a significant effect on the relationship. We use a non-profitability sampling technique. In October 2023, a total of 432 questionnaires were disseminated to manufacturing firms, yielding 299 valid responses for Time-1 and Time-2, respectively.

Sustaining Technical and Vocational Education Training Based on Competency and Creativity Instructors

This quantitative study examines the issue of the implementation of the sustainability of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) among the instructors of the Training Institute of the Human Resources Department (ILJTM) based on competence and creativity. This study determines whether there is a relationship and influence of competence and creativity of teaching staff on the implementation of TVET sustainability. This study also determines whether creativity is a mediator or not between the relationship of competence and the implementation of TVET sustainability. A total of 444 ILJTM teaching staff were involved as survey respondents. Pearson's Correlation Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) are data analysis techniques in this study. The results of the study show that all the mean values of the variables are at a high level, namely competence mean=4.27, creativity mean=4.10 and TVET sustainability mean=4.35. The results of Pearson Correlation analysis found that there is a significant and positive relationship at a medium level for competence (r=0.64, p&lt;0.05) and a high level for creativity (r=0.22, p&lt;0.05) with the implementation of TVET sustainability. Meanwhile, the regression analysis of the SEM path shows that competence and creativity significantly affect the implementation of TVET sustainability with β values of β=0.23 and β=0.37 respectively. For the SEM path regression analysis on creativity, it was found that competence is a significant predictor with a β value of β=0.36. Next, the findings of the influence of the mediator that is creativity for the relationship between competence and the implementation of TVET sustainability is that there is a partial mediator effect. Therefore, in order to increase the level of effectiveness of TVET's sustainability implementation, improvements are needed from the aspects of training infrastructure, curriculum, industry relations, instructor expertise and training quality assurance.

Measuring corporate sustainability in its multidimensionality: A formative approach to integrate ESG and triple bottom line approaches

AbstractCorporate sustainability is a multifaceted concept with different definitions and measures proposed by the literature and the standards. This study aims to develop and validate a scale of corporate sustainability implementation that can face the complexity and multidimensionality of the concept. Specifically, the scale was designed around four dimensions (governance, prosperity, planet, and people), a three‐level structure, and a formative approach. The scale validation process entailed the engagement of experts, a survey of 303 Italian firms, and a case study application. The findings highlight the nature of the third‐order construct of sustainability implementation and the relevance of adding the governance dimensions to the most spread triple bottom line approach. As a theoretical contribution, this study argues that the missed recognition of these features could originate differences in previous sustainability measures. Further studies would apply the scale to measure firm sustainability in different contexts and in relationship with relevant drivers and outcomes.

Role of multi-level institutions in facilitating innovation and adaptation technologies for reducing climate risk and impact: Evidence from coastal communities of Bangladesh

While the role of innovation and adaptation technology in reducing climatic risks is widely recognized, few studies have investigated the role of formal, quasi-formal, and informal institutions in facilitating the adoption of such technology at the local level. The novel contribution of this study is in offering explanations of how local institutions facilitate or create barriers against innovation and implementation of climate adaptation technologies. In this study, we employ a mixed-methods research technique to empirically examine the roles of local institutions in two coastal communities in Bangladesh in facilitating reduction of the impacts of climate hazards. Primary data were collected via interviewing 300 household heads, 26 key informant interviews, and 2 Focus Group Discussion sessions. The findings reveal that local institutions (i.e., formal, quasi-formal, and informal) are actively involved in various partnership-building processes and actions to promote innovation and adaptation technologies at the community level. For example, in the study area of Satkhira District, in collaboration with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as national level government organizations, such as Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Union Parishad Disaster Management Committees are deeply engaged in mobilizing local volunteers to effectively disseminate cyclone-related early warnings. However, significant institutional fragmentation in the country remains a major barrier to the sustainable implementation of various programs related to climatic hazards. For institutions to play their roles sustainably, it is recommended that national policies place greater emphasis on nurturing partnerships among regional stakeholders, as well as facilitating collective action for climate-induced disaster risk reduction and participatory community development.

Decision‐chain integrity and sustainment of the individual placement and support model: An embedded single case study in Finland

AbstractThe individual placement and support (IPS) model is an evidence‐based practice proven effective in aiding individuals with mental disorders to achieve and maintain competitive employment. This study examines how policy and structural factors are perceived to influence the model's sustainment as routine practice after a national development project in Finland. We aim to identify critical dimensions related to decision‐making at the national, regional, and local organisational levels. We used a qualitative single‐case approach, analysing 21 stakeholder interviews and nine administrative documents. We conducted abductive thematic analyses. We report the results in compliance with the COREQ guideline. Our analysis identified three main external contextual influences affecting service sustainment: (1) System‐Level Planning—the coherence of formulation and execution of facilitative strategies across different administrative levels; (2) Political Decision Making—the recognition of inception points of policy change and the ability to set the IPS model on a broader policy agenda; and (3) Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration—the need for mutual goals and collaborative platforms. Strategic planning, governance decisions, and stakeholder involvement affect local‐level decisions on the IPS model's sustained implementation. This research introduces the concept of ‘Decision‐Chain Integrity’, highlighting the alignment of strategies and their implementation across different levels of administration as a pivotal factor in producing sustained change in the service system.

Study protocol for a stepped-wedge implementation study investigating the intersectoral collaboration of implementering the TREAT INTERACT intervention for primary school teachers and the mhGAP for health care workers for child mental health promotion in Uganda

BackgroundMental and neuropsychological disorders make up approximately 14% of the total health burden globally, with 80% of the affected living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) of whom 90% cannot access mental health services. The main objective of the TREAT INTERACT study is to adapt, implement, and evaluate the impact of a novel, intersectoral approach to prevent, identify, refer, and treat mental health problems in children through a user centred task-sharing implementation of the TREAT INTERACT intervention, inspired by the World Health Organization (WHO) Mental Health Gap Action Programme Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) for primary school staff in Mbale, Uganda. Health care personell will be trained in the mhGAP-IG.MethodsThis is a pragmatic mixed-methods hybrid Type II implementation-effectiveness study utilizing a co-design approach. The main study utilize a stepped-wedged trial design with six starting sequences, randomizing three schools to the intervention at each interval, while the remaining act as “controls”. Other designs include a nested prospective cohort study, case control studies, cross-sectional studies, and qualitative research. Main participants’ outcomes include teachers’ mental health literacy, stigma, and violence towards the school children. Implementation outcomes include detection, reach, sustainability, and service delivery. Child and caregiver outcomes include mental health, mental health literacy, and help-seeking behaviour.DiscussionBased on the results, we will develop sustainable and scalable implementation advice on mental health promotion and draft implementation guidelines in line with current WHO guidelines. This project will generate new knowledge on the structure, organization, delivery, and costs of mental health services in a LMIC setting, as well as new knowledge on the implementation and delivery of new health services.Trial registrationClinicalTrials, NCT06275672, 28.12.2023, retrospectively registered.

Use and Design of Virtual Reality-Supported Learning Scenarios in the Vocational Qualification of Nursing Professionals: Scoping Review.

Numerous reviews advocate using virtual reality (VR) in educational contexts. This medium allows learners to test experiences in realistic environments. Virtually supported scenarios offer a safe and motivating way to explore, practice, and consolidate nursing skills in rare and critical nursing tasks. This is also cited as one of the reasons why VR can significantly increase the knowledge acquisition of nursing students. Nevertheless, studies are limited in their significance owing to the chosen design. Despite great interest, this results in a low level of confidence in VR as a curricular teaching method for nursing education. Therefore, defining concrete design and didactic-methodological parameters that support teachers in the use and implementation of VR is more relevant. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of significant design aspects for VR scenario conception and its transfer to generalist nursing education to generate value for the development of teaching scenarios and their sustainable implementation in teaching. A comprehensive literature search was performed using the MEDLINE (via PubMed) and CINAHL databases, and the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist was applied. The search was conducted from May to July 2022, using a specific search principle corresponding to the focus and the growing study corpus. A previously defined "population, concept, and context" scheme was employed as the basis for the double-blind review of all relevant international German and English publications released up to May 1, 2022. In accordance with the predefined selection procedure, 22 publications were identified. The identified aspects aided in the development of design, didactic, and research recommendations. The intuitive operation of realistically designed VR scenarios, which are standardized, reliable, and modifiable, as well as clear instructions and specific multimodal feedback functions were described positively. The same applied to the linear structure of the sequences with graduated demands and high image quality for increased immersion with low sensory overload. Changes in perspectives, multiuser options, dialogs, and recording functions can contribute to an interactive care practice. On the research side, it is advisable to define VR terminologies. In addition to considering larger samples, varying settings, and financial issues, it is recommended to conduct long-term studies on knowledge acquisition or improved patient outcomes. VR scenarios offer high potential in the context of nursing education if teachers and learners develop them co-creatively according to design features and implement them by means of a well-conceived concept. VR enables trainees to develop practical skills continuously in a standardized way. In addition, its deployment supports the sensitization of trainees to digital nursing technologies and the expansion of their digital skills in a practical setting. Furthermore, it allows sustainability issues to be addressed.

Exploring Sustainability Assessment Practices in Higher Education: A Comprehensive Review through Content and Bibliometric Analyses

The drastically increasing significance of sustainability development has motivated higher education institutions (HEIs) to make efforts to achieve sustainability development goals (SDGs). This has led to the inevitable need to track and assess these efforts. This review is centered on the meticulous collection and analysis of pertinent papers within the context of HEIs, subsequently organizing and consolidating them into distinct sustainability domains by utilizing the PRISMA methodology. A collection of 83 pre-existing articles and publications retrieved from the Scopus database is employed for an in-depth exploration of the current research. This study employs both bibliometric and content analyses to explore distribution and citation dynamics and identifies six primary thematic concentrations within the field. The key findings highlight a significant increase in the importance of sustainability, emphasizing the critical need for HEIs to integrate SDGs across all departments. Additionally, the development of cross-institutional evaluation tools tailored to various sustainability aspects is underscored. These tools elucidate key competencies and broaden the application of educational sustainability in both research and curriculum development. The study also identifies a need for future research to explore how effectively these assessment methodologies drive tangible sustainability outcomes within HEIs. It suggests that developing more nuanced and adaptable evaluation tools could better meet the diverse needs of institutions globally. Additionally, the findings support HEIs’ and stakeholders’ decision making by identifying potential challenges in the implementation and assessment of sustainability.

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Roles in the Biomedical Field: A Review

Abstract Developing novel antibiotics, traditional pharmaceuticals, and chemically altered drugs addresses medical concerns and underscores the need for sustained and productive implementation of metallic nanotechnology across various domains. Nanoparticles (NPs) present a range of advantages over bulk particles due to their targeting capabilities, wound repair characteristics, capacity for biocomposite preparation, and potential as a gene and drug delivery system. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have garnered significant interest among researchers as a result of their exceptional conductivity, chemical stability, catalytic behavior, and antimicrobial properties compared with other metal NPs. This study aims to provide a basic understanding of AgNPs and their functions in biomedical research.

Evolving Roles in Systems Engineering —‐ Insights from Germany's Mechanical and Plant Engineering Sector

AbstractSystems Engineering is developing differently in each sector and region. In German industry, especially in mechanical and plant engineering, Systems Engineering is of major importance. The introduction of Systems Engineering raises the question of which roles and competencies are required. This article examines the evolution of roles in Systems Engineering from a German perspective. Based on a literature review, the evolution of the identified Systems Engineering roles over time is shown, starting with the seminal publication by Sheard in 1996. It points out that only minimal adjustments and occasional role renaming have occurred. However, the review shows a common understanding of essential areas of responsibility within the SE and changes over time. The next step is to examine the current understanding of Systems Engineering roles in the industry. A quantitative analysis of job postings in Germany reveals a diverse interpretation of the term 'Systems Engineer; more than half of the positions cannot be categorized according to the INCOSE definitions. The job postings are used to determine which tasks are associated with the job, how often they occur, and in what combination. The primary responsibilities of systems engineers include creating and managing requirements, architecture processes, validation, and verification processes, and coordinating with customers and stakeholders. Finally, three representative companies from the mechanical and plant engineering sector were selected to analyze existing roles and tasks. From this, a common understanding of tasks and responsibilities is combined and organized into clusters. These are used by the companies to locate and thus derive their roles. The result is in an integrative approach that enables companies, especially in the midsize and medium sectors, to design the introduction in line with stakeholder demands. In summary, the industry's ongoing adaptation necessitates the evolution of Systems Engineering roles and competencies for successful and sustainable development and implementation of systems.

Guest Editorial: Special Issue on “Sustainable urban energy systems – Governance and citizen involvement”

Cities are responsible for over 75% of the total amount of global greenhouse gas emissions. They are also home to the majority of the Earth's population. Ambitious climate mitigation goals can only be realized by transforming fossil based urban energy systems into sustainable, low-carbon ones. This is a multidisciplinary challenge that goes way beyond the technological dimension. In the Special Issue to which this Guest Editorial contributes, a multi-disciplinary perspective is used, exploring governance, institutional, ethical and other aspects, pertaining to citizen involvement in sustainable urban energy systems. The main research questions are, “How can we address key challenges to the analysis and design of sustainable urban energy systems, as regards their governance and institutions, values, social acceptance, and citizen involvement?”, and “How can this contribute to shaping a multi-disciplinary academic research agenda?” Based on the main findings from the ten contributions to the Special Issue key challenges to sustainable urban energy system design, planning, and implementation are presented, including suggestions for future research.

Agricultural watershed conservation and optimization using a participatory hydrological approach.

Maximizing the impact of agricultural wastewater conservation practices (CP) to achieve total maximum daily load (TMDL) scenarios in agricultural watersheds is a challenge for the practitioners. The complex modeling requirements of sophisticated hydrologic models make their use and interpretation difficult, preventing the inclusion of local watershed stakeholders' knowledge in the development of optimal TMDL scenarios. The present study develops a seamless modeling approach to transform the complex modeling outcomes of Hydrologic Simulation Program Fortran (HSPF) into a simplified participatory framework for developing optimized management scenarios. The study evaluates seven conservation practices in the Pomme de Terre watershed in Minnesota, USA, focusing on sediment and phosphorus pollutant load reductions incorporating farmers' opinions to guide practitioners toward implementing cost-effective CPs. Results show reduced tillage and filter strips are the most cost-effective practices for non-point source pollution reduction, followed by conservation cover perennials. The integration of SAM with HSPF is crucial for sustainable field-scale implementation of conservation practices through enhanced involvement of amateur-modeling stakeholders and farmers directly connected to fields.

European Health Information Training Programme: a sustainable strategy for strengthening capacity in health information.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, a need for a uniform approach to health information (HI) knowledge in population health analysis across Europe was evident. The Population Health Information Research Infrastructure (PHIRI) emerged as a proactive initiative to strengthen European HI capacities. This article describes the achievements of PHIRI, highlighting its capacity-building activities and their contribution towards a sustainable strategy for the implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS). PHIRI collaboration established a work package for skill-building activities in population health in partnership with other organizations. Activities included webinars, workshops, sessions, training schools and courses for researchers and public administration workers from Europe and beyond. The primary goal of the activities was to examine the impact of COVID-19 on European health systems at both local and national levels, including healthcare facilities and policymaking entities. Twelve activities were organized between October 2020 and the summer of 2023. In March 2023, the Spring School on Health Information was organized to share the knowledge achieved from PHIRI and other European Union-related projects. This event also validated the European Health Information Training Programme. PHIRI's findings emphasized the importance of equipping the workforce with core HI skills to improve health systems' preparedness and resilience. Through this research, it is possible to propose a strategy for building capacity that emphasizes the importance of providing training in human-machine dynamics. This approach will contribute to the sustainable implementation of the EHDS.

Step by step: Utilizing Kotter's model to design and implement a strategic plan for institutionalizing interprofessional education and practice

Health professional schools are complex environments. Academic leaders of interprofessional education and practice (IPEP) have the unique challenge of navigating these intricacies on the individual and collective level to create a common vision that supports the sustainable implementation and assessment of quality interprofessional education (IPE). In order to move beyond a common approach to IPE that has been described as a “series of isolated events” that insufficiently address the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) core competencies in their entirety, a strategic planning process can help institutions design and develop robust IPE experiences with intentionality.This article describes the steps taken in a formal strategic planning process to create and sustain a pan-university IPEP office to strengthen IPE and collaboration among emerging health professionals/schools-departments at a public flagship university in the southeastern U.S. Additionally, Kotter's model for institutional change highlights strategies to gain buy-in, and lessons learned. This paper provides a guide to help grow, sustain, and invest in formal IPEP programs for other academic institutions.

Challenges for Sustainable Interprofessional Education in South Korea: Insights from Key Global Countries

Interprofessional education (IPE) is relatively new in medical schools in South Korea. Since the introduction of IPE in 2022, its effective and sustainable implementation has been of great interest in medical schools. This study analyzed literature on the development of IPE in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan to explore strategies for successful IPE in Korean medical schools. A systematic literature search focused on institutionalizing IPE yielded 30 papers for review. The findings included the following crucial elements for effective IPE: (1) government or institutional-led support; (2) establishment of networks and partnerships; (3) development of standardized core competency frameworks for IPE; and (4) inclusion of IPE in accreditation standards. These aspects underscore the importance of IPE as an essential component of health professional education that should be effectively and sustainably implemented in academic settings. The study concludes that the successful integration and sustainable development of IPE in Korean health education will necessitate expanded and proactive governmental support. Moreover, promoting collaborations among universities, hospitals, and local healthcare institutions will be vital for creating synergies in implementing IPE programs. Establishing networks to develop and execute joint IPE initiatives and securing initial support for conceptualizing and developing competency frameworks will be critical. Additionally, forming consortia of healthcare accreditation bodies to collaboratively develop and incorporate IPE standards into evaluation criteria will be essential. Efforts to surmount these challenges will contribute to building a structural and institutional support system for the successful introduction and sustainability of IPE in Korea.

Road Traffic Enforcement: Using Technology Through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)

The past two decades have seen a wide - ranging wave of privatizations in formerly government owned or - controlled activities. A government task or service which is funded and operated through a partnership between a public sector authority and private sector company based on guidelines and performance standards set by a public party is typically referred to as a Public Private Partnership (PPP). In most countries traffic enforcement cameras and other equipment are purchased, owned, and operated by government organisations. Back - offices, where violation data are processed, citations issued, and traffic fines collected, have traditionally been government - run activities. In a PPP model, a private party invests and installs enforcement equipment (e. g. speed or red - light cameras) and conducts back office processing, such as sending out violation notices and managing and confirming fine collection. The investment in equipment and related processing and support activities are funded by fine revenues collected from the motoring public over the contract term. Gaining public support, and ultimately acceptance, for the PPP model is crucial, which is why transparency, publicity and continuous communication are key factors for successful and sustainable implementation. Full service PPPs are often organised on a municipal level in close consultation with the local administration and police. Due to the high initial investment and gradual repayment, such PPPs are typically based on longer term contracts. Moreover, the regulatory environment may require some changes to allow involvement of a private party. One process that is difficult to outsource is the formal confirmation of a violation by a review of the photo or video evidence. Generally, this can only be validly performed by an authorised government official, such as a police officer. Depending on laws and regulations applicable to specific jurisdictions, there could be more issues that may limit the extent of the private party’s involvement in these PPPs. When properly implemented, PPP’s in traffic enforcement can considerably contribute to the reduction of casualties, injuries and crashes, as well as improve traffic flow, and increase quality of life with more safety, lower emissions and less noise pollution. Speed reduction also significantly benefits the safety of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, and two - wheelers Personal injury and death on roadways also have a significant impact on the economy through medical costs, lost resources and wages and disability pay outs. These costs are significant and are estimated by the WHO to amount to an average of around 3% of a country’s GNP. This figure rises to 5% in some low - and middle - income countries